Blinken takes thinly-veiled jab at Israeli government’s judicial reform plan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on “building consensus for new proposals” during his visit to Israel this week, in what is seen as an unprecedented jab at the government’s judicial reform plans, which aim to significantly weaken the High Court of Justice. 

Blinken made several remarks about the constitutional crisis Israel is undergoing, telling Prime Minister Netanyahu that the U.S. supports “core democratic principles and institutions, including respect for human rights, the equal administration of justice for all, the equal rights of minority groups, the rule of law, free press, a robust civil society.”

Blinken also referred to the weekly mass demonstrations against the government’s judicial reforms which brought over 130.000 people to the street across Israel last month, saying they showed the “vibrancy of Israel’s civil society.”

“The commitment of people in both our countries to make their voices heard, to defend their rights, is one of the unique strengths of our democracies.  Another is a recognition that building consensus for new proposals is the most effective way to ensure they’re embraced and that they endure,” Blinken said.

His remarks were criticised by far-right lawmaker from religious Zionism, Orit Strock who said: “Dear Mr. Blinken, I understand that you decided to give our prime minister a lesson in democracy. Well, democracy is first of all the duty of a country to determine its course according to the votes of its citizens, each of which is given equal weight, without foreign involvement. Demonstrations, however legitimate they may be, are not equivalent to a ballot.”

In another highly unusual move, Blinken set time aside to meet with “emerging leaders” in Israel’s civil society, including the LGBTQ organisation Israel Gay Youth (IGY).

Blinken said his goal was to “hear about what you’re doing, the challenges you’re facing and seeing how we can partner together.”

The LGBTQ community has been under fire in recent weeks, with openly homophobic ministers and lawmakers in the new government making derogatory remarks.

Lastly, Blinken stressed the importance of continuing to support Ukraine against “Russia’s ongoing atrocities”, while promising to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Palestinians

After highlighting the “ironclad” commitment to Israel’s security and expressing his condolences for the seven people killed in a “horrific” terrorist attack near a synagogue in East Jerusalem over the weekend, Blinken traveled to Ramallah in the West Bank where he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Reiterating the U.S. support for a two-state solution, Blinken said that Washington opposes anything that “puts that goal further from reach, including but not limited to settlement expansion and the legalisation of illegal outposts, moves towards annexation of the West Bank, disruption to the historic status quo on Jerusalem’s holy sites, demolitions and evictions and incitement and acquiescence to violence.”

Blinken also expressed “sorrow” for the “innocent Palestinian civilians who have lost their lives in escalating violence over the last year,” while condemning the Palestinians “who celebrate… acts of terrorism that take innocent lives.”

Abbas decried Israel’s “policy of unilateral measures”, mentioning growing West Bank settlements, house demolitions and arms raids as examples.

Over 170 Palestinians were killed in 2022, and 30 have been killed in 2023 alone. Israel says most of those killed were Palestinian terrorists or participated in clashes against the army in the West Bank.